Aboriginal community leaders have appealed to Prince William to help them bring back the skull of one of their ancestors.

Prince William is given a traditional Maori greeting, called a hongi, by former Governor-General of New Zealand Sir Paul Reeves.

The 27-year-old heard about their campaign to locate the severed head of fearsome warrior Pemulwuy at the start of a three-day tour of Australia aimed at introducing him to the country and its people.

The issue came to light when William visited a community centre in the deprived and predominantly Aboriginal neighbourhood of Redfern in Sydney to meet residents and learn about the work of the institution.

A crowd of around 800 had gathered for his arrival and he was welcomed with a traditional smoking ceremony performed by Max Eulo, 66, who, dressed in a red loincloth and covered with body paint, fanned a burning basket of eucalyptus leaves around the Prince to cleanse the area.

Inside the centre, William spent a long time chatting to elderly members of Redfernâs community and also met youngsters benefiting from its facilities and projects.

Michael Mundine, from the Aboriginal Housing Company, said he brought up their campaign to get the head returned with the second-in-line to the throne during discussions.

He added: âIt wasnât really appropriate to talk about it at length but we told him about the issue. All he could really do was listen as we explained about the situation.

âI hope when he is the next King he will help bring the remains back to Australia. I know he will do it because he has a good heart.

âThey condemn us, they paint us with a black brush, but we are very proud of our area and very proud royalty has come here today.â

Pemulwuy was of the Eora people whose lands – today known as Botany Bay – bore the brunt of the arrival of the British.

Known as the âRainbow Warriorâ for the colours he wore, his campaign of destroying crops and animals and raiding settlements finally saw him shot dead in 1802 and his head was later shipped to England.

The location of his remains is not known but Mr Mundine believes they are in the UK.

Another historical Aboriginal grievance was raised before William when he was handed a copy of a 1937 petition whose signatories had appealed for help to the Princeâs great-grandfather, George VI.

The indigenous people wanted the King to alleviate their living conditions but the document never reached him after being handed over to the Australian government.

Lyall Munro, an Aboriginal community leader, said: âWe are appealing to the humanity of this man. We believe he will be the next King. We have seen that the situation of Aboriginal people has not improved in 73 years – our people are still living in abject poverty.â

A St Jamesâs Palace spokesman said the petition would be handed to the Governor General Quentin Bryce.

Earlier, at a reception hosted by the Governor General at her official residence overlooking Sydney Opera house, William met singer and former Neighbours actress Delta Goodrem.

The entertainer was among a guest list made up of Australiaâs leading young people who were treated to lunch.

Goodrem, who is dating former Westlife star Brian McFadden, said she respected the Royal Family and welcomed William to Sydney, saying: âIâm a very patriotic Australian and am excited to have him in my country.â